Worst of Holiday Gift Guides

Every holiday season I’m amused by how ridiculous the year’s holiday gift guides are. From Martha Stewart Living to the New York Times, I continually ask myself, “who actually buys this?” Here are some highlights from the year’s egregious guides and some less ridiculous gift choices for the design or marketing professional in your life.

$500 Copic Marker Set – I don’t doubt that they’re great markers, but call me crazy -$500 for a set of markers sounds a little bit over the top. If you know someone who is interested in illustrating or drawing comics, but don’t have an abundance of disposable cash, I’d recommend Faber and Castell’s set of 48 pens for $83.60 on sale now on dickblick.com

Price by Request Reclaimed Wood Stool – I love reclaimed, reused or recycled objects, but this stool resembles a cow’s udder, which is fine if that’s what you’re into. Go to Etsy.com and search “reclaimed stool” to find about 300 better choices.

$9,800 Branches and Fur Chair – Is it me, or does this just look like a pile of sticks? I’m fond of rustic furniture and design, and I’m glad that there are Adirondack furniture makers out there creating less haphazard pieces. If you would like to find a beautiful rustic piece that won’t give you splinters, talk to rustic furniture maker Jay Dawson.

$850 Giant Brown Fox Creature – A life-size stuffed fox, need I say more? I don’t think you could even give this away at a garage sale. I can’t offer an alternative gift choice for this, but I can offer some advice: you will surely regret a purchase of any life-sized stuffed animal.

$60 Set of Office Accessories Cast in Concrete – Sounds like a burden. The retailer could not provide the weight, but shipping something like this seems criminal. The next time you have to move your office, you’ll lament “Why…” Here’s a nice handmade wooden pencil holder. Who really needs a tape dispenser anyway?

Arielle Landsberg is co-founder and Design Director of creative marketing agency Tone Creative, based in Saratoga Springs, New York.